News

VicForests addresses timber supply issues

By Simon Ruppert

Nov 22, 2019

VicForests has met face to face with about 50 Victorian timber businesses since the Victorian Government announced its plan to transition out of native timber after 2030.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Chief executive officer Monique Dawson said VicForests was meeting with and talking to every part of Victoria’s timber industry to talk through the detail of the government’s native timber policy.

Logging decision divides Victoria

“This policy delivers more than four years of certainty for Victoria’s native timber industry,” Ms Dawson said.

“Of course there will need to be a longer-term transition and that’s why I’m meeting with local mills, contractors and other timber businesses to help them adapt to a more sustainable future for the industry from now until 2030 and beyond.”

“VicForests is focussed on quickly negotiating new supply contracts with timber harvesters, haulage, roading and forestry contractors to give them medium term certainty.

Woodies and archers build benches

“We are also talking to our customers about our plans to quickly negotiate new timber supply contracts to give mills certainty of supply to June 2024.

“Within 18 months we will start the sales process for supply beyond 2024.

“VicForests also believes there are significant opportunities for our business, customers and contractors beyond 2030, and has started a transformation program to make the most of the 10 year transition period.”